Staff Picks in CMU Libraries Browsing Collection

One of my favorite things about our browsing collection is how easy it is to grab something that surprises you. Whether you’re in the mood for a twisty thriller, a dark romantasy, or a heartwarming rom‑com, these reads kept me turning pages and disassociating from current events. I hope they do the same for you. 

It Happened on the Lake by Lisa Jackson 

It Happened on the Lake is a twisty thriller set in a Victorian house on a private island, already the perfect setting for something unsettling. Twenty years ago, Harper’s grandmother mysteriously died on the same night Harper’s boyfriend disappeared. His body was never found, and the rumor mill never stopped churning with theories about what really happened that night. 

Fast forward to the present. Harper returns to her grandmother’s house on Lake Twilight to sell the property and finally get a fresh start. Almost immediately, strange things begin to happen. Her cat goes missing, items in the house are moved, and cryptic messages start appearing. Someone clearly doesn’t want Harper there. 

I found this to be a very engaging, page-turning thriller. While some parts felt a bit repetitive (and I think the story could have been about 100 pages shorter), I still enjoyed the ride. I’d recommend It Happened on the Lake to anyone looking for a suspenseful read with an eerie atmosphere. 

On Wings of Blood (Bloodwing Academy book 1) by Briar Boleyn 

I absolutely soared through On Wings of Blood and immediately wanted more. This dark academic romantasy was so much fun from start to finish. 

Medra Pendragon is the last dragon rider in a world where dragons no longer exist. When she wakes up on a blood-soaked battlefield with little memory of how she got there, she’s soon discovered by Blake. Blake Dracaro is a cold, arrogant vampire who brings Medra back to his home at Bloodwing Academy. There, Medra quickly realizes the powerful high blood vampires are watching her closely and using her as a pawn in their dangerous games. 

This book has everything a romantasy lover could ask for. It has vampires, dragons, magic, survival trials, enemies to lover’s trope, all in a Hogwarts like academy setting. The third book was just released for this series, and it will have 4 books when completed. I’m so excited to see where Medra’s story goes. 

Remain by Nicholas Sparks & M Night Shyamalan 

I was immediately intrigued by this collaboration between the “king of romance,” Nicholas Sparks, and famed paranormal filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan. While I wasn’t sure what to expect, it did not disappoint. 

Tate, a troubled architect, travels to Cape Cod to design a house for his best friend after being discharged from a psychiatric facility where he was treated for depression. While staying at a local bed and breakfast, he meets Wren, who claims to own the inn. Tate quickly falls for her, but as he spends more time with her, he begins to question whether Wren is who she says she is or if his mind is playing tricks on him. 

This novel blends complex characters, a slow burn romance, eerie moments, ghosts, and plenty of mystery. I honestly enjoyed this book far more than I expected. It was equal parts heartwarming and bone chilling. 

What Lies in the Woods by Kate Alice Marshall 

Twenty years ago, three best friends Naomi, Cassidy, and Olivia innocently discovered a skeleton while they were playing in the woods that they named Persephone. Over one fateful summer, their imaginations run wild as they return again and again to the woods to perform playful rituals for their “goddess.” 

Everything changes when Naomi is brutally attacked and stabbed multiple times (don’t worry, she survives). The girls identify her attacker as a wanted serial killer, and the case appears closed and the young girls appear heroes. But twenty years later, Naomi learns that the man she put away has died, and her reaction hints that the truth may be far more complicated. 

Doubting her memories, Naomi returns to her hometown to reunite with her childhood friends and uncover what really happened that terrifying summer. This was a dark, gripping thriller I couldn’t put down, full of twists and turns. Fans of true crime may notice parallels to a well-known case from 2014, which adds another unsettling layer to the story.  

Book Lovers by Emily Henry  

Nora Stephens is a workaholic literary agent who thrives in the city and would do anything for her beloved younger sister, Libby. Charlie Lastra is a moody, sarcastic editor that Nora can’t stand, especially after a meeting involving a book she knew would be a hit (and was). 

When Libby convinces Nora to take a trip to the small town where that hit novel is set, Nora quickly realizes Sunshine Falls isn’t quite the idyllic rom-com setting her sister imagined. Libby is hopeful that Nora will meet a charming small-town love interest, but instead, Nora keeps running into Charlie. 

This book has fantastic banter and undeniable chemistry between the characters. I smiled through the entire reading experience. If you love books and romantic comedies, Book Lovers is a must-read.